Boozy son who damaged a curtain pole is given a chance by court

Published:07:45Friday 19 February 2016

A boozy son who pulled down a curtain pole at his mum’s home after a row has been given a chance with a conditional discharge.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, February 17, how Ian Wickenden, 31, had been watching a film on his laptop while wearing headphones when his mum Alicia tapped the headphones with the TV remote and he swore at her before pulling down the pole.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “Generally, the defendant and the complainant get on well without any history of domestic violence.

“He was stopping at her address and both were drinking and were drunk and she was watching a film on TV and he was watching a film on his laptop.

“He had headphones and she tapped him on the headphones at the back of his head with the remote control and he swore at her, got up and pulled down the curtain pole.”

Wickenden, of Jubilee Road, Whitwell, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage after the incident on January 28.

Defence solicitor John Wilford said Wickenden admitted the offence at the police station and there have been no previous incidents.

He added: “They get on well together generally. Mr Wickenden had been at the address and they had been shopping and bought alcohol and she had been watching TV and he was watching a film on his laptop before the incident happened.”

The court also heard how Wickenden has been a huge help to his 60-year-old mother who suffers with epilepsy.

Magistrates sentenced Wickenden to a six-month conditional discharge but warned that if he commits any other offence within six months he will be resentenced for the criminal damage.

Wickenden was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.